Is it OK to touch an aardvark or are they dangerous?

Answer 1

Seeing how an aardvark is nocturnal, the danger depends on when you encounter one. During the day it will be cranky and want more sleep while in late afternoon/evening it will be hungry and ready to go out of its burrow. Either way, there isn't much for the docile creature could do. Low center mass, long sticky tongue, and claws exclusively for digging make this harmless herbivore more of a hider (slowly) than a fighter when it comes to flight vs. fight.

Maybe the only danger when touching one would be during the aardvark's meal time. It's prey (ants and termites) will be swarming mad with their respective colonies under siege and likely will be crawling on the aardvark in retribution. Too many ant or termite sting/bites could be bad for you.

However, you really should just leave the aardvark alone if you find one in the wild. The poor mammal just wants to eat insect pests (ants and termites) in peace.

Answer 2

Are you sure you mean aardvark? Are you in Africa?

"The name aardvark comes from a word meaning "earth pig." Although the aardvark, endemic to Africa, shares some similarities with the South American anteater, the two are not related. The last survivor of a group of primitive ungulates, the aardvark could more accurately be called a near-ungulate that has developed powerful claws."

Because if you are not in Africa, maybe you are confused and mean an armadillo, which looks like an aardvark with a tank shell on it. Which I think it is a lot cuter, but you might want to think twice about trying to pet it. Those claws aren't just for good looks -- and yes, it can have leprosy. Okay, there is not *that* much of a chance you can catch it, but, hey, do you *really* want to be the statistic to make the board?!

Answer 3

Those nails can rip your belly apart

Answer 4

if it's in the wild leave it alone. if it's in a petting zoo i hope you have permission first